Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart has hailed the unveiling of a bronze bust in memory of Sir James Craig has a momentous occasion as Northern Ireland celebrated 100 years from its formation.  The event and the art work was commissioned and funded by the Ancre Somme Association a local charity of which Carla is the UK Ambassador. 

Sir James Craig was instrumental in the early days of Northern Irelands formation along side Sir Edward Carson.  Undoubtedly one of his greatest achievements being the penning of the Ulster Covenant and the campaign thereafter to have people from all walks of life sign and this great covenant. 

The event took place on Saturday in Brownlow House with many dignitaries in attendance.  The bronze bust was unveiled by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant Terence D Walkingshaw and dedicated by Rev Thomas Martin.  Also in attendance was the First Minister or Northern Ireland, Paul Givan MLA and Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party. 

To compliment the bust his unseen court dress which has been gifted to the association by Janric Craig, 3rd Viscount Craigavon was on display.  Also hanging proudly is a painting of Lord Craigavon wearing this exact outfit on loan from Stormont. 

Speaking following the event Carla Lockhart MP said; 

“I am so proud to be part of the Ancre Somme Association team who have delivered this legacy project.  Ancre continue to address issues that are of historic significance, prioritises education and understanding, produces the best standard of publications and artefacts, and does things right. I want to commend especially our Patron Lieutenant Conl Ant Maher, chairperson Mark Jameson, secretary Lexi Davidson, Honorary President David Martin and the team for their efforts in bringing this latest project to fruition.  It is very fitting that this bust was unveiled in the very Borough called after Lord Craigavon. 

It really was an honour to take part and to recount the type of man Sir James Craig was and one of his most significant achievements, the Ulster Covenant.  My comments on the day included; 

There is much to be said about Sir James Craig. What is said is not always fair or accurate – and therefore the work of Ancre Somme in addressing his life and legacy in an accurate and informed way is hugely important.

One of Craig’s most significant achievements was of course the Ulster Covenant.

Ronald McNeill, an Ulsterman who was MP for a Kent constituency, recounts how the idea for a covenant came about:

“Captain James Craig happened to be occupying himself one day at the Constitutional Club in London with pencil and paper, making experimental drafts that might do for the proposed purpose, when he was joined by Mr B.W.D. Montgomery, Secretary of the Ulster Club in Belfast, who asked what he was doing. “Trying to draft an oath for our people at home,” replied Craig, “and it’s no easy matter to get at what will suit.” “You couldn’t do better,” said Montgomery, “than take the old Scotch Covenant. It is a fine old document, full of grand phrases, and thoroughly characteristic of the Ulster tone of mind at this day.” Thereupon the two men went to the library, where, with the help of the club librarian, they found a History of Scotland containing the full text of the celebrated bond of the Covenanters …”

Once written, James Craig masterminded a covenant campaign of 11 meetings to be held over 10 days in September 1912, beginning in west Ulster and sweeping towards a crescendo in Belfast.

When you study this time, many of the images are of Sir Edward Carson speaking to crowds in every corner of Ulster. But this was Craig’s work. This was his masterplan, and when you look back at Ulster Day 1912 and what was achieved in that one day, it is testament to the ability of Craig to motivate people and to stir their hearts. This was a leader of men and women. This was leader of the men of the shipyard, of clergy, aristocracy, of prominent figures in the field of business, of law, of medicine. A unifier of all, regardless of social class or standing. Someone who knew what made the Ulster people tick.

It is worth each of us imagining that remarkable sight of Ulster Day in Belfast. To have been part of that must have been special, and indeed it must have been at any of the five hundred places where the Covenant was signed on Ulster Day and the days which followed. A common purpose, a political intent, but a plea to God for help and favour. 

Craig’s plan had worked and what was clear was the united resolve of the Ulster people. The British parliament could see it, the world could see it. As was reported in the Times “the impression left on the mind of every competent observer is that of a community absolutely united in its resistance to the act of separation with which it is threatened”.

Of course, as the saying goes behind every good man, is a good woman. And Craig enjoyed the support of his wife, Cecil Craig Viscountess Craigavon, who also became very active in local politics. She was a founding member of the Ulster Women's Unionist Council, serving as vice-president from 1912 to 1923 and president from 1923 to 1942. She also served for more than 20 years as the vice-president of the Ulster Unionist Council. She lies beside her husband in the grounds of the Stormont estate.

Ladies and gentlemen, we will all have learnt something today about this great man. What I hope all of us will take away is that when we as a people stand together, we can achieve great things. When we set aside petty differences and unite the farm labourer with the aristocrat for the cause of that which we cherish most, our citizenship is more secure against the desire of those who wish to destroy this country that Craig first led.”

It was a wonderful occasion and one that will live int on the history of the Upper Bann constituency.